Canada’s Express Entry system is the fast lane for skilled immigrants looking to call Canada home. Launched in January 2015, this digital immigration system is designed to be quicker, more efficient, and competitive. It includes several programs that cater to different types of skilled immigrants.

The purpose of Express Entry and immigration programs at large is to solve for Canada’s labour market needs and boost its economy. Applicants are broadly assessed based on a points system that evaluates factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Some programs will have additional filters like Canadian work experience or graduating from a masters program at a specific province.

Express Entry Programs

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

This program targets skilled workers with foreign work experience who are looking to immigrate to Canada. Applicants are assessed based on a points system that evaluates factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

Skilled Work: Jobs in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC system. Includes managerial (TEER 0), professional (TEER 1), and technical jobs (TEER 2, 3) that require formal education or training (e.g., engineers, accountants).

To find your NOC or your TEER category, use our NOC Finder here.

Eligibility Criteria:

• One year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation within the last 10 years.

• Meet the minimum score of 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP calculator.

• Language: Min CLB 7 in English or French

Note: the last explicit FSWP draw was conducted in February 23, 2023 (as of January 30th, 2025). See all the round of invitations and cut offs here.

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-trades.html

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Designed for those with qualifications in a skilled trade, this program requires candidates to have a valid 1) job offer or 2) a certificate of qualification in their trade issued by a Canadian province, territory or federal authority.

Skilled Trades: Specialized technical jobs, typically classified under TEER 2 and 3 in the NOC system. Includes occupations like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters that involve manual or practical skills, such as construction, mechanical work, and certain service jobs.

Certificate of Qualification: a document issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority that certifies that an individual is qualified to work in a specific skilled trade (e.g electrician, plumber) in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A job offer for full-time employment for at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that trade.

• Two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years.

• Experience must be all be in the same NOC

• Experience must be in 1 of these NOC groups: Major Groups 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932), Minor Group 6320, Unit Group 62200. You can use this website to find out whether your job fits under these groups.

• Language:

Note:

• There is no education requirement for FSTP.

• Your work experience only counts if you were qualified to practise that trade where you got your work experience.

• The last explicit FSTP draw was conducted in August 6th, 2020 (as of January 30th, 2025). However, there have been ‘Trade occupation’ draws recently which is a form of category based selection that you may be eligible for. See all the round of invitations and cut offs here.

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-trades.html

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program is for those who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada (TEER 0-3). It's particularly popular among international graduates on a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) and temporary workers on an open or closed work permit.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum one year of skilled work experience inside Canada within the last three years.

• Experience must be in TEER categories 0-3

• Must be full-time (or an equivalent amount part-time).

• If you worked remotely, you must have been physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.

• Language:

Note:

• Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) do not count.

• Your experience does not have to be continuous and can be in multiple NOCs under TEER categories 0-3.

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry Streams

• Many provinces have Express Entry-aligned streams. This means if you meet a particular province’s labour market needs and fulfill their eligibility criteria, they will nominate you from the Express Entry pool.

• How It Works: If you get a provincial nomination through one of these Express Entry-aligned streams, you receive 600 additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. More information in our PNP Overview blog.

Summary Table

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool. Understanding it can be the difference between getting an ITA or not.

• Core Factors: Age, education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.

• Skill Transferability Factors (Max 100 points): A combination of factors like education and work experience can multiply your points.

• Spouse or Common-law Partner Factors (40 points): If applicable, your partner’s education, language skills, and Canadian work experience can also contribute to your score.

• Additional Points (up to 600 points): Provincial nomination (600 points), Canadian education, sibling in Canada, and french, etc. It is capped at 600 points, so if you get provincial nomination, other factors such as sibling in Canada will not count.

• Typical Competitive Scores: The maximum score is 1200, but recent draws have seen competitive scores in the 500s for general and program based draws. You can find the latest Express Entry draws here.

For a more extensive breakdown of the CRS points, visit Eligibility for Express Entry programs: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Criteria.

To calculate your own CRS score and see which categories you may be eligible for, use our CRS calculator here.

Increasing your CRS points for Express Entry

• Age: Younger applicants score higher in CRS, with maximum points given to those aged 20-29.

• Language Proficiency: the better your language scores, the higher your CRS points.

• A minimum CLB 7 in French increases your CRS points and makes you eligible for the French Language pathway that has lower CRS cut offs.

• Education: The higher your education level, the more points you get.

• Work Experience: Skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 is needed. More experience equals more points. You max out your points at 5 years of experience for Canadian experience and 3 years for foreign experience.

Additional Resources

• IRCC Website - Express Entry Overview

• PR Coach CRS Calculator

• PR Coach NOC Finder

• Express Entry Profile Submission